Kris Lundberg

Calling All Lords and Ladies!!!

kris@krislundberg.com — Fri, 10 Oct 08 17:15:00 UT

To Battery Park this weekend for the launching of my new theater company "Shakespeare's Sister Company."

We're celebrating with a Renaissance Faire held at Castle Clinton on Sunday, October 12th. Come play!

We have two Broadway headliners and two legendary rock stars scheduled to sing throughout the course of the day, Storytime with the Peasants, Folk Dancing, Court Jester Comedy and HUGE Raffle prizes like (4) tickets to Broadway's "The Little Mermaid!"

More info can be found on our website at
www.shakespearessister.org

See you at the Faire and bring your mates!!!

Happy Birthday, my Shakespeare!

kris@krislundberg.com — Wed, 23 Apr 08 10:07:00 UT

The big bad bard turns 444 years old today. So exciting!

Snickers and I will have cake. He's planning to do a one-man show re-enactment of Comedy of Errors. :)

"HIROSHIMA: CRUCIBLE OF LIGHT"

kris@krislundberg.com — Sat, 1 Mar 08 20:33:00 UT

So far, a quite successful run in opening weekend. I've been very lucky being a part of this show, cast and production team. It's a great piece and am so sad it's such a short run. The cast in and of itself is not only one of the most incredibly talented casts I've worked with but have extreme dedication to this piece. I hope if you're in the city, you'll have a chance to see this show and of course join us for cocktails afterwards.

Hugs!

Tickets now available for
Untitled Theater Company #61's:

HIROSHIMA: CRUCIBLE OF LIGHT
February 27 - March 15

at Walkerspace
46 Walker St.
between Church & Broadway, two blocks south of Canal Street

Starring : J. Robert Oppenheimer, Marie Curie, the perfect nuclear family, Albert Einstein, the Fool from King Lear, a mysterious woman in a wheelchair, a butoh dancer, a boy cellist...and the bomb.

Written by Robert Lawson
Direction and Music by Henry Akona

With:
Peter Bean, Dmitri Friedendberg, Joe Gately, Saysha Heinzman, KRIS LUNDBERG, Jared Mezzochi, Shelley Ray, Timothy Roselle, Yvonne Willrich-Teague, Sandy York

Wednesdays at 7:30, Saturdays at 3pm, Sundays at 7pm

Tickets $18

Box Office: 212-352-3101
http://www.theatermania.com/content/show.cfm/show/139420

Buy your tickets soon! This production will sell out.

Full information about the cast and the production team is located at:
http://www.untitledtheater.com/pages/productions/hiroshima/hiroshima.html

LET THERE BE WRITER LIGHT!!!

kris@krislundberg.com — Wed, 13 Feb 08 16:57:00 UT

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Striking Hollywood writers will be back at their keyboards Wednesday after voting overwhelmingly to end a 100-day walkout that essentially shut down the entertainment industry.

Writers Guild of America member Steven Binder shows his approval as he votes Tuesday in Beverly Hills, California.

More than 92 percent of the Writers Guild of America members who cast ballots Tuesday in Los Angeles and New York voted to end their work stoppage over residuals for writing in the digital age, including new media and the Internet. The new deal is for three years.

"The strike is over. Our membership has voted, and writers can go back to work," said Patric Verrone, president of the WGA's West chapter.

Michael Winship, president of WGA's East guild, said, "The success of this strike is a significant achievement not only for ourselves but the entire creative community, now and in the future."

WGA members walked off the job November 5 after talks broke down over how writers are paid for the use of their material on the Internet and DVDs, among other issues.

"It is not all that we hoped for, and it is not all we deserve," Verrone said when a tentative deal was announced Saturday.

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But he added, "This is the best deal this guild has bargained for in 30 years."

Leslie Moonves, chief executive officer of CBS Corp., told The Associated Press, "At the end of the day, everybody won.

"It was a fair deal and one that the companies can live with, and it recognizes the large contribution that writers have made to the industry."

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents production companies and media conglomerates, has had no comment on the agreement.

The vote meant that the Academy Awards ceremony on February 24 will be the usual scripted gala, the AP reported.

"I am ecstatic that the 80th Academy Awards presentation can now proceed full steam ahead," without "hesitation or discomfort" for the nominees, Sid Ganis, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which stages the Oscars, told the AP.

As long as the strike continued, the traditional Oscars spectacular was in doubt since many Hollywood stars would not cross WGA picket lines.

It's unclear how soon new episodes of scripted programs will start appearing, because production won't begin until scripts are completed, the AP reported.

It will take at least four weeks for producers to get the first post-strike episodes of comedies back on the air; dramas will take six to eight weeks, the AP said.

Verrone said the WGA achieved two of three goals through negotiations with the studios. Watch Verrone explain what he thinks the strike accomplished Â»

The first goal relates to writers' "jurisdiction" in new media, Verrone said, meaning that any content written by guild members specifically for new media, such as the Internet or cell phones, will be covered by their contract.

The second goal relates to reuse of content in new media, Verrone said.

The agreement bases payment for reuses on a distributor's gross formula for residuals, "so that when they get paid, we get paid," he said.

It is the "first time in our history that a new delivery system pays on a residual formula superior to the prior existing system," Verrone said.

The third goal, which Verrone said the guild did not achieve, was to shore up writers' shares of the revenue from animation and reality television.

"Giving up animation and reality was a heartbreaking thing for me personally," he said. "But it was more important that we make a deal that benefited the membership, the town as a whole, that got people back to work and that solved the biggest problems in new media."

"Charlie Wilson's War" and Madeline Albright

kris@krislundberg.com — Tue, 8 Jan 08 22:03:00 UT

I have to make this quick. My bunny is demanding my attention and I'm keeping him distracted with a bowl of popcorn which won't last...

Over the past few days, I had the amazing opportunity to witness at least two historical events. This evening, I attended a lecture that Madeline Albright was giving in promoting her new book. I wish SHE was running for president. She was fascinating and had a lot to contribute regarding the upcoming elections. I can't wait for her book to come out in paperback. :) Hardcovers are too heavy to carry on the subway. She was brilliant and the absolute highlight of my day.

Crap...he's finished the popcorn. Ok, quick thoughts.

Last night, I attended the evening industry screening for "Charlie Wilson's War." It was frighteningly good! Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Amy Adams and the BRILLIANT Phillip Seymore Hoffman really drove the honesty of this story to the hills. Very clever script, excellent dialogue, savvy delivery! I had no idea... I guess this was in the McCarthy era that we covertly helped Afghanastan attain weapons to cease the Soviet attacks of on their people and in their camps. Then, today how are we re-paid for reaching out to the Afghans in their time of need...Osama. To put the blame on all of Afghanastan is as absurd as blaming the entire state of Texas for the death penalty...and George W. Bush. All major political atrocities that need some serious shifting. Anyway, it's a must-see film that I hate the Golden Globes are cancelled because it would be nice if someone won an award for this.

Lots of good movies this year. I saw the critics choice awards last night and close to 3/4 of actors didn't even show up to accept their wins because of the writers strike. I know the SAG Awards are taking place in two weeks...at least I think they still are.

Oh, final note. I've been having trouble with getting notices out to those who have subscribed. Will you comment and let me know if you received this?

Thanks bunches!!!

"Sweeney Todd" Movie Review

kris@krislundberg.com — Tue, 18 Dec 07 22:33:00 UT

Walk in with a strong stomach.

I saw "Sweeney Todd" this evening and just as I was walking in the theater, a friend of mine was exiting who had seen the earlier screening. All she said to me was "Don't plan to have dinner after the movie"...and then she gagged.

It was FABULOUS!!!! Tim Burton must have been awesome to work with because his "Sweeney Todd" world seemed to be completely clear to all the actors. It was fascinating. To me, the blood wasn't really gross because it looked more like paint or a meat sauce. I think the part that got to me was the meat grinder. Enough said.

Johnny Depp, aside from the drunken jigs he sings in "Pirates", I haven't heard sing since "Cry Baby" and what a voice! He was so amazing in this role...the role of Sweeney Todd. His pairing with Helena Bonham Carter was brilliant! She was such a great Mrs. Lovett. I can't imagine a better couple in these parts. They worked so effortlessly together. Their duets were chilling and powerful. Alan Rickman and Tim Spall added to this level of talent. Sacha Baron Cohen who I ADORE really was quite disappointing. I thought he could be more extreme or should I say intense to warrant his killing, but he seemed more of a cut-up. The circumstances in all of his scenes seemed too casual. I was especially BORED with the storyline between Johanna and Anthony. This trite romance seemed so trivial. Alan Rickman has more specific choices in his pinky than these two had put together. They were alright singers...very young...very lyrical. Blah...

The movie is a must see as Tim Burton's brilliance unveils a fascinating story with the primarily leads driving the film to it's absolute best in a gorgeous score.

Go enjoy the film and would love to hear what you think!

Testing

kris@krislundberg.com — Tue, 18 Dec 07 22:31:00 UT

If you normally subscribe to my journal, can you comment on this? I want to make sure the alerts are being delivered.

Thanks!

Movies, Movies, Movies

kris@krislundberg.com — Wed, 5 Dec 07 14:29:00 UT

I've been meaning to do this for weeks so here we go. Okay so here's the upcoming reviews:

"Beowulf"
"Starting out in the Evening"
"I'm Not There"
"Enchanted"
"Atonement"

I saw "Beowulf" in the Digital 3D and it was AWESOME!!! Kept very close to the original story and communicated brilliantly. Being a Gaiman fan, I saw a lot of him in this movie. Crispin Glover was a great Grendel. It made him for lack of better words "human." He felt him to be very humble and hated his father Hrothgar for wanting to destroy him. I get the story. I understand why, but he got my empathy. I LOVED the fights. They made me laugh. My two favorites were ofcourse when Ray Winstone as Beowulf fought completely in the buff with Grendal and the other was when he told the tale of how he killed the sea monsters and next thing I remember seeing was Beowulf emerging triumphantly from the sea monsters eyeball. So silly. Angelina Jolie was fun to watch. I enjoyed her character. Of course. Overall a great flick. Lots of fun and you get to keep the 3D glasses!

"Starting out in the Evening" stars Frank Langella and Lauren Ambrose who were such a terrific combo. Frank always has this way of helping the audience get to the core of his character. He's so humble and generous. I saw him in "Match" when it came to Broadway a few years ago and his stage presence and commitment to character completely blew the other actors off-stage. Lauren Ambrose who I've enjoyed in Six Feet Under was very good but at times was borderline annoying. It was her character but some of the choices she made seemed a bit shallow. I didn't see her in the Park last summer in "Romeo and Juliet" but heard she was very good and played a very true to age Juliet. Some of that abrupt behavior I saw here. Lily Taylor whose lifetime series I so love and Adrian Lester who I enjoyed in Ken Brannagh's "As You Like It", had the sub storyline and the dual plot of the needs and intensions of those paired in relationships and how they can destroy you if you take them for granted. Michael Cumpsy who I recently saw off-broadway in Richard III, had a few scenes as Lily Taylor's fiance and I'm wondering if he ended up on the editing room floor because there seemed to be some chunks missing. Anywho, a beautiful film...highly recommended.

"I'm Not There" was one HUGE non-sequitor. I was so disappointed! The idea is fascinating...having 6 characters embody Bob Dylan's life and work. This is the 2nd writer/director piece (the first was "Margot at the Wedding") that I've seen in this past month and it has BOMBED! Cate Blanchett was fun to watch and Ben Whishaw seemed to plug in on any comic moment. I could not follow the story...if there was a story. These characters seemed all over the place and so did the storyboard. Would not even recommend to rent.

"Enchanted" was SO AWESOME!!!!!!!!! It's number 1 on the IMDB charts this week. So fabulous! I could not stop laughing most of the movie. Amy Adams was such an awesome disney princess but not in the gag kind of way. James Marsden was truly my favorite in the movie. A brilliant prince charming. What a shift from X-Men and Spiderman. Still fantasy, I suppose. Susan Sarandon was just scary. Idina Menzel and Patrick Dempsey were so much fun to see in this genre. Something for a whole family or a great pick me up on a really bad day.

Finally, "Atonement" which I just saw last night was very good and that was mainly due to the unbelievable truth James McAvoy generously gave in his performance. I only saw James recently in "Becoming Jane" as again the unattainable hot guy. You all may have seen him in "Chronicles of Narnia" and "The Last King of Scotland." Enough about James...I really wish I had read "Atonement" before seeing the movie because I think I would have really loved the book. Keira Knightley's only performance that was busting out was the dance her jaw was doing after she finishes a sentence. She's truly getting on my nerves. All of the women in the movie walked like her. It was a very Irish, no-movement type of march that seemed quite mechanical and not appropriate for some of the characters. Romola Garai played the adult version of the one to atone and she seemed to carry the guilt of her crime as a child to the point where it now was eating away at her. She always seems so "doe-eyed" to me. I loved her in "Vanity Fair" and "As you like it." Vanessa Redgrave made her appearance at the end and completely captivated the screen. She's just amazing. A great film. Read the book first. ;)

Speaking of books, I finally finished "The Kite Runner." It was one of the hardest, best things I've read in a while. Going to see the movie soon!

"Lions for Lambs" MOVIE REVIEW

kris@krislundberg.com — Wed, 21 Nov 07 11:55:00 UT

Great movie, but not earth-shattering like many of my friends thought. I mean I do watch the news and have been very familiar with the land of politics and the domino effect of the armed services for quite some time.

"Lions for Lambs" was basically Robert Redford's present to the world which makes him an amazing person to re-educate and remind us not to forget our mistakes, not to accept others mistakes, to make active decisions and not turn a blind eye to life, to cherish the moments and not forget what each of us stand for. This is the very same message Kurt Vonnegut had in his latest and last book which was basically his eulogy to the world "A Man Without A Country." Both require the reader/moviewatcher to take responsibility, know your rights and stand up for them. On a theatrical level, "Lions for Lambs" had an interesting pairing of characters and I LOVED that they put Meryl Streep with Tom Cruise. She's so subtle and totally kept him in check. Michael P`ena again was paired with a fellow war buddy...in "World Trade Center" he was paired with Nick Cage as trapped firefighters. The tie-ins between the multiple scenerios and domino effect was written and presented in very clear context. People, I know I have been, tend to get lost when it comes to politics and the reality of what happens "behind the scenes." If you don't understand it, no need to turn a blind eye. Don't let it intimidate you and cause you not to care because it's many mistakes continue to spin out of control. Understand it, make a choice, challenge it and find your way of putting a stamp on it.

It was a really short movie...only an hour and a half but I'm still on the fence if I would rather have seen more. Very much so worth seeing though.

4 stars

A Cowboy's Guide to Life

kris@krislundberg.com — Mon, 19 Nov 07 09:58:00 UT

1. Never squat with yer spurs on.
2. Don't worry about bitin' off more than you can chew,
your mouth is probably a whole lot bigger'n you think.
3. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it over
and put it back in your pocket.
4. After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so
good he started roaring.
He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him.
The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth
shut.
5. If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is
stop diggin'.
6. Never smack a man who's chewin' tobacco.
7. Never follow good whiskey with water, unless you're out
of good whiskey.
8. Good judgment comes from experience; experience comes
from bad judgment.
9. Always drink upstream from the herd.
10. If you're ridin' ahead of the herd, take a look back
every now and then to make sure it's still there.
11. When you give a lesson in meanness to a critter or a
person, don't be surprised if they learn their lesson.
12. When you're throwin' your weight around, be ready to
have it thrown around by somebody else.
13. Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier 'n
puttin' it back in.
14. Always take a good look at what you're about to eat.
It's not so important to know what it is, but it's
critical to know what it was.
15. Never miss a good chance to shut up.

"Margot at the Wedding" Movie Review

kris@krislundberg.com — Sun, 18 Nov 07 21:28:00 UT

Nicole Kidman should know better. This was the WORST film I've seen in a long time. I turned to the person next to me once the film ended and literally said "did I miss the story?" There were SOOOO many holes and it was pieced together not as a screenplay but more like character vignettes. Nicole Kidman was boring and annoying. Jennifer Jason Leigh who plays her sister had one nice moment...this moment I would love to have with a few ex-boyfriends...but overall she seemed lost. Nicole Kidman's son who was autistic apparently wasn't her son and the autism was never made known to him and never explained if he actually had a disease at all or if Nicole's character was being malicious. Jack Black had one funny line which is in the preview. He's very ordinary and should also know better. This was a terrible role for him.
It was a very unspecific, boring piece of crap with absolutely NO PLOT LINE!

Ugh. Minus 10 stars

Thank god I didn't have to pay to see this movie otherwise I would have really been pissed.

UPDATE Javier Bardem special appearances

kris@krislundberg.com — Sun, 18 Nov 07 21:16:00 UT

Okay so Javier is going to be in New York next week (week of 11/26) doing a few special appearances. I'll probably be at one or both of these if anyone wants to stop by and say hi.

Monday, November 26th @ 7:00 pm
at the Brooklyn Academy of Music
Screening of "Before Night Falls" (2000)
followed by a conversation with Javier Bardem and Julian Schnabel (director)
WHAT: Javier Bardem Retrospective and Conversation with Bardem and director Julian Schnabel

WHERE: BAMcinÃ©matek (30 Lafayette Avenue, between Ashland Place & St. Felix, Brooklyn)

WHEN: Friday, November 23 - Monday, November 26

COST: $11.00

TICKETS: 718.777.FILM (theater ID# 545) or BAM.org

WHY: Born into a family of actors and filmmakers in Spain, the chameleon-like Javier Bardem never plays the same role twice and has worked with some of the most fascinating directors in the world. This retrospective has been curated by BAMcinÃ©matek. All films in English, or in Spanish with English subtitles.

Tuesday, November 27
Gotham Awards ceremony at Brooklyn's Steiner Studios
check out www.ifp.org for more details

Wednesday, November 28 @ 8 â 9:15 pm
at the Times Center
Javier Bardem: Transformation on Film
Hear Javier Bardem, the first Spanish actor to have been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor, discuss his work and his current film, No Country for Old Men, based on the novel by Cormac McCarthy and directed by the Coen Brothers. Moderated by Lynn Hirschberg.
For tickets, call (888) NYT-1870. General admission $25 -- $5 discount for IFP members. Use discount code: NYTMC

"No Country For Old Men" MOVIE REVIEW

kris@krislundberg.com — Sun, 18 Nov 07 20:49:00 UT

As soon as this movie went to black, I had the exact same feeling as when "Fargo" ended. Complete dismay and virtual awesomeness. This movie was brilliant! I haven't read the book so I'd like to hear someone's comments if they've read it and seen the movie. The Coen brothers have a very specific style which I've come to love.

Josh Brolin (Grindhouse, American Gangster) and Javier Bardem (who I am now a HUGE fan of) were awesome advesaries. It was an incredibly gritty performance between these actors and this story had me holding my breath until the credits. I was physically gripping the seat. Again I didn't read the book but I LOVED the weapon of choice that Javier's character used. The depth these two brought to their roles was so specific. On the other spectrum, the two comic relief's were Woody Harrelson and Tommy Lee Jones. Already both wickedly very funny in my book. I felt like I finally had a chance to breathe when they took the scene. This however did not diminish their performances. Kelly Macdonald was the perfect match to Josh Brolin. She created such a great arch for her character. Beth Grant, my fellow college alum, you could tell had SO much fun playing the deluded, annoying mother in curlers. She was hilarious. I always enjoy her. Every single one of the actors in this film were so dedicated and focused and determined to tell this story in the basest of circumstances with every moment at the highest possible survival peak. It was so well done and I LOVED the ending. It's funny because once the credits started rolling everyone in the theater did that sigh of "That was freakin' awesome." It was so clear and what an awesome way to spend last tuesday.

5 Stars - A MUST SEE
(be prepared for a bloodbath "Coen" style)

Shakespeare Podcast

kris@krislundberg.com — Mon, 12 Nov 07 13:34:00 UT

It's finally live! Go to www.krislundberg.com and click on "Shakespeare's Lady Unplugged." Some things still need to be tweaked, but it's an awesome start to a project I feel very passionate about.

Check back for updates!

;)

Lincoln Center's "Cymbeline" - REVIEW

kris@krislundberg.com — Fri, 9 Nov 07 14:17:00 UT

Last night after a heavy bit of Irish cuisine, I headed over to Lincoln Center for a night of "Cymbeline." This is the first performance I've seen in this theater and it's a gorgeous layout. The Vivian Beaumont theater...awesome sightlines. Decent acoustics. Not so cute ushers.

I call this play the absent Grimm fairy tale because it's a mesh of all things "fairy tale." King Cymbeline's daughter, Princess Imogen, is inprisoned by her "evil stepmother" who married Cymbeline only to unite her son Cloten with the princess hoping one day for him to become King Cloten. Whilst she's secretly married to Posthumus, a poor gentlemen whom Cymbeline cared for while Posthumus and Imogen grew up. Cymbeline banishes Posthumus from the kingdom when he discovers their secret affair. Imogen is then "tested" by Iachimo, an Italian wanker, who makes a bet with Posthumus that she is not honest and faithful. Iachimo "wins" the bet and Posthumus banishes Imogen from his heart. Imogen travels to Wales where she believes Posthumus to be and along her travels meets three outcasts who take her under their wing. Cloten follows her there only to be be-headed by one of the outcasts. Lively apparitions greet Posthumus in a dream. The underlying story in addition is Caius Lucius and his Roman army are at war with Cymbeline's army. The Romans and British all meet up in Wales where England becomes victorious and where all of the characters at some point or another have fought. Iachimo (who caused the big mess to begin with) comes clean and re-unites Imogen with Posthumus. At this point Imogen re-unites with her father, her lover and she discovers the two outcasts that took her in are her brothers. The older outcast kidnapped them when he was banished from Cymbeline's court years ago. I hope I explained this alright. My brain is kind of mushing things together.

Anyway, the production overall was great fun. Michael Cerveris, Posthumus, and Martha Plimpton, Imogen, were ...amazing! Phylicia Rashad, the evil queen, was a great queen but very cartoony. She played a great evil queen but was very one note. I would have LOVED to see her as sweet and innocent and loving with everyone in the beginning except ofcourse the audience and we gradually see her colors.

Enjoy the show if you have a chance to see it!